How Prince William, 'moved heaven and earth,' to ensure Deborah James Damehood in moving tribute

Prince William said to have used royal clout to ensure Deborah James Damehood. News comes as the cancer campaigner's story touched many

Deborah James attends The Best Heroes Awards 2019 at The Bloomsbury Hotel on October 15, 2019 in London, England.
(Image credit: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Deborah James Damehood has been rushed through by a combination of efforts from royal and governmental sources, as the nation's hearts have been captured by her heartbreaking cancer journey. The cancer campaigner has already raised millions in aid of Cancer Research UK, since revealing her devastating prognosis.


Since Deborah James revealed that, after exhausting all treatment options against bowel cancer, she has 'moved to hospice at home care,' an outpouring of support has been sent her way. As the news unfolded and fans reacted, royal fans and supporters Kate Middleton and Prince William sent a heartfelt tribute to the broadcaster. 

It's now been revealed that Deborah James' Damehood has been pushed through with the help of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The Sun reports that a source said, “William and Catherine were extremely moved by Deborah’s story, both being ­parents themselves, and were blown away by her campaign."

They added, "William moved heaven and earth to make sure she got this award that she so richly deserves.”

Deborah was, understandably, totally overwhelmed by the news. Speaking to the publication she said, “OMFG, this is crazy. I don’t know what to say. I’m blown away and feel incredibly honored." She added, “I don’t feel like I deserve this. I can’t tell you what this means to my family, it’s so much to take in.”

Apart from using her public profile to bring attention to the suffering of those affected by her illness, bowel cancer, Deborah also set up a fund in her name called the Bowel Babe Fund. Money from the fund, set up in collaboration with Cancer Research UK, will go to helping those with the disease and finding more ways to treat it.

At the time of writing this article, £4,319,521 has been raised in Dame Deborah's honor.

Aoife Hanna
Junior News Editor

Aoife is an Irish journalist and writer with a background in creative writing, comedy, and TV production.

Formerly woman&home's junior news editor and a contributing writer at Bustle, her words can be found in the Metro, Huffpost, Delicious, Imperica and EVOKE.

Her poetry features in the Queer Life, Queer Love anthology.

Outside of work you might bump into her at a garden center, charity shop, yoga studio, lifting heavy weights, or (most likely) supping/eating some sort of delicious drink/meal.